The Amador Superior Court encourages the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution
("ADR") in civil cases. Cases are referred to the appropriate Alternative Dispute
Resolution forum at case management conferences.

The most common forms of ADR are mediation, arbitration, and settlement conferences.

Judicial Arbitration

Judicial arbitration is similar to a mini-trial before a neutral arbitrator instead of a judge.
Arbitration, either binding or non-binding, is useful in resolving disputes.
In arbitration, the parties submit evidence and argument to an arbitrator who makes a
decision, either final (binding) or subject to rejection by the parties (non-binding).
If the arbitrator’s award is rejected,
a trial de novo (Form TR-220) may be requested,
which returns the case to the court’s calendar as if arbitration had not occurred.

The Court maintains a panel of approved judicial arbitrators who have
practiced law for a minimum of five years and who have a certain amount of trial
and/or arbitration experience. The Court will pay the fees incurred if a panel
arbitrator is used.

Please see the Amador Superior Court
Local Rules of Court
for more information regarding judicial arbitration.

Court Ordered Mediation

Court ordered mediation is non-binding on the participants. The goal of mediation is to
reach a settlement acceptable to all parties. As such, the mediator
acts as a neutral intermediary and attempts to facilitate a settlement.

The Court maintains a panel of approved mediators.
The Court will pay up to three (3) hours of the mediator's
time if a panel mediator is used.